A split infinitive.

What is a split infinitive?

A split infinitive occurs when a word or group of words is inserted the two parts of an infinitive.

The term comes from Latin for to cut (fissus) into pieces (infinitives).

A popular misconception is that it’s wrong to place anything between the two parts of an infinitive, but this is not true.

In fact, there are some cases where it can be advantageous.

Let’s take a look at why this might be so.

An example of an advantageous split infinitive would be for emphasis.

For example, “to quickly go” is a good sentence because the word “quickly,” .

Which refers to how one should do something or how someone’s action can happen rapidly, makes it clear that this person wants to get there as soon as possible.

On the other hand, if we were going to use another adverb such as “slowly”.

Then it may not make sense in certain contexts and could even sound awkward when spoken aloud.

What did you want me to do?

In this instance, what was really meant is more likely conveyed by either using just ‘go’ after ‘to,’ or by adding on words like ‘